Danube 4 Countries Tour The Highlights Bike & Boat 2018 MS NORMANDIE 8 Days / 7 Nights self guided Passau Bratislava Budapest Vienna - Passau Accompanied by a comfortable cruise ship, you cycle along Europe's second largest river, the Danube from the charming Bavarian three river city of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"! By bicycle, discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"), the legendary Wachau wine region with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance.
ITINERARY Day 1: Saturday, Passau Engelhartszell Arrival in the "Three River City". Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and it s charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4.30 p.m., departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell. Day 2: Sunday, Engelhartszell - Brandstatt Bratislava - Great Loop 46 km The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop" - one of the most beautiful and original sections of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cosy must-see taverns. You'll board again in Brandstatt. Then, cruise into the night towards Bratislava. Day 3: Monday, Bratislava, bike tour 54 km, city tour (optional) At noon you start cycling from Bratislava via Hainburg to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof. See beautifully terraced gardens and manor farm, Continue to Devin and then back to Bratislava. This evening you have the option for a guided walk and mini train ride to explore the sights and sounds of Bratislava. At night cruise to Budapest. Day 4: Tuesday, Budapest (day of rest) city tour by coach or bicycle (optional) roundtrip to Szentendre 40 km In the early morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the Sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. In the afternoon join a city tour by coach and foot (optional). Nearby, you ll find Margaretheninsel which is an outstanding place for a short bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre. Optional evening folklore programme. In the evening cruise to Visegrad. Day 5: Wednesday, Danube Bend Visegrad Esztergom 25-60 km The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous crag-top fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the Baroque village of Vác, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica Hungary's largest Catholic Church overlooking the village. During the night the boat will move to Vienna.
Day 6: Thursday, Vienna-Nussdorf (Korneuburg may be possible) Rest day, city tour by bike or by coach and foot (optional) Waltz and Operetta concert (opt.) See the famous places of interest like the Prater, the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. You can take a city tour by bike or bus (optional, not included). The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Operetta concert (optional, not included). During the night the boat will move to Rossatz or Durnstein (Wachau). Day 7: Friday, Wachau Rossatz - Melk Pöchlarn (42-52 km), wine-tasting (optional) Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A mighty ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In Spitz (possibility for a winetasting optional) you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. Board again in the small village of Pöchlarn. After the farewell gala dinner, cruise back to Passau. Day 8: Saturday, Passau Every journey draws to an end. Take a last sight of the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before arriving Passau. Arrival: approx at 10 am, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend you arrange connections from noon onwards. GRADE: Easy mostly on cycle path. Price and dates 2018: per person in Euro: Departures on Saturday 28 Apr/29 Sept 12 & 19 May/01 &15 Sept 26 May/09 & 23 Jun / 07, 21 July 28 Jul, 4 & 18 August 2-bed 1-bed 2-bed 1-bed 2-bed 1-bed Main deck 859 939 979 Upper deck 999 1,249 1,079 1,329 1,119 1,369 Port fees 59 per person (mandatory from 12 years on) Minimum group size: 50 persons (must be reached at least 4 weeks prior to tour) 2-bed-cabin for single use: + 50% Child reduction: up to 13 years 20% discount in a cabin with 1 adult. Rental bicycle with 7 gear, hand- and/or pedal brakes, pannier bag and rental bike insurance included: (please request at time of booking) 70 E-Bike (advance reservation, limited number) 165, pannier bag and bike insurance included Helmets: We recommend wearing a bike helmet (compulsory use for helmets: Austria for children up to 12 years. In Slovakia for children up to 15 years and for all cyclists outside of towns if you stay on the recommended tour cycle route in Slovakia, adults will not need a helmet (by law). Helmets are for sale onboard: UVEX I-VO 40 per helmet, limited number. COST includes: 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning Programme according to the itinerary from/to Passau Captain s greeting and Welcome Cocktail Daily cabin cleaning Towels and bed linen
Full board: breakfast, lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, afternoon coffee break, dinner Farewell-Dinner with Farewell-Cocktail Daily Live-Music Daily informational meeting Information pack with route book (one per cabin) Tour guide on board (does not cycle with group) Port fees included COST does not include: Journey to and from Passau Shuttles, entrance fees and optional excursions Bike rental Travel Insurances Parking fees Drinks on board Tips and gratuities Parking space inclusive transfer to/from ship 66,- Parking garage inclusive transfer to/from ship 77,- (Registration Form is in the final travel-documents, payable on site) The cruise ship MS NORMANDIE: On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar and the small sauna (advance booking at the reception only) on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin-zone). On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, for you to relax. MS NORMANDIE has two single cabins and 49 twin cabins. They are all outside cabins, of 10-11 square metres in area (2-bed) and about 7 sq m for single cabins (1-bed). All twin cabins are equipped with two lower beds, one of which can be folded against the wall during the day to provide a more homely atmosphere, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe (deposit), central air-conditioning and a picture window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. Single cabins have one lower bed and are otherwise equipped with same features. Technical details: Length 91,2 m, width 10,50 m, depth 1,60 m, max. 100 passengers. Currency on board: Euro. Credit cards: Mastercard and Visa.
Important Bicycles on board: Unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears with coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (please indicate on your booking form) and pannier bag. E-Bikes are available if pre- requested as availability is limited. Please indicate your body height on the booking form in metric. Cycle tours: All distances are approximate distances of recommended bike tours. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour. The bike tours are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. All cycle tours can be classified as being easy. Luggage: we recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers. Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited. Diet: (i.e.: lactose free, gluten free) possible on request and for an extra charge. Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure. Travel documents: EU-nationals need a valid passport. Please check the entry conditions if you are a different nationality. Smoking: The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas. Land excursions: The excursions mentioned in the programme are all optional (surcharge - not included in the tour price) and can be booked directly on board with the cruise director. Routing/Program: Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages by buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine or power unit. Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during the night. Especially crossing locks and bridges - and the preparation work - may cause noise. If you have sensitive hearing, please bring your own ear plugs. BOOK THROUGH Don t just see the world. Experience it. Ph 09 4867473 Fax 09 484 0091 Email: info@walkworld.co.nz